Enbridge’s Line 9 not riskiest

Your article on the risk ranking of Line 9 gives the impression the Mississauga portion of the pipeline is at the greatest risk of failure of any along the entire route. This is incorrect. And this misconception has the potential to cause undue concern to the people of Mississauga.

Enbridge measures risk as a multiple of both the likelihood and consequence of a pipeline release. We expect that areas with higher population and environmental sensitivities, such as this portion in Mississauga, would often appear at the top of a risk assessment. This directs increased focus, scrutiny and diligence in ensuring a pipeline’s mechanical integrity and safety.

To suggest that this means it’s the riskiest portion of the line is wrong. In fact, it means it’s a top priority — and that’s why we proactively conducted an integrity dig and repair at this location despite the fact there was no incident. We identified the area as one we wanted to pay particular attention to in large part due to its proximity to a major urban centre.

Our long experience over the past decades demonstrates that through diligent maintenance and monitoring we are able to sustain the safety and performance of a pipeline indefinitely. There are billions of dollars, hundreds of professional and committed Canadians who make it their lifelong work to ensuring zero incidents.

We are fully dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the excellent safety and performance record of Line 9 during its 40 years of service to the economy of Ontario and Quebec. These places are our homes too.